You’ve probably seen it. Even if you don't know the address, you’ve definitely seen it. That twisted, torqued glass tower that looks like it’s trying to spiral away from the brick base beneath it. That's 837 Washington New York. It sits right at the corner of Washington and West 13th Streets. It’s a bit of a local legend in the Meatpacking District, mostly because it represents everything that happened to this neighborhood over the last twenty years—for better or worse.
It's weird.
The building is basically a collision. You have this heavy, 1930s-style industrial base that feels like it belongs to the era of actual meatpacking—cold, gritty, functional. Then, erupting out of the top is this jagged, crystalline exoskeleton of steel and glass designed by Morris Adjmi Architects. It’s not just a "cool building." It is a physical manifestation of New York’s obsession with "adaptive reuse," which is a fancy way of saying we like keeping the old shell while shoving something incredibly expensive and shiny inside.
The Architecture of 837 Washington New York
Most people walk by and think it’s just another office building. It isn't. Not really. The design was actually quite controversial when it was first pitched to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. You see, the Meatpacking District is a protected historic zone. You can't just tear things down. So, Adjmi did something clever. He kept the original two-story brick market building—which, honestly, was looking pretty rough—and used it as a pedestal.
The "twist" isn't just for show. The floor plates of the glass addition actually rotate as the building gets taller. This creates these slivers of outdoor terrace space that overlook the High Line. If you’re standing on the High Line looking East, this building is basically the main character of your view. It feels aggressive, but in a way that fits the chaotic energy of the neighborhood.
What’s interesting is the steel. It’s not just painted black. It’s meant to evoke the industrial skeletons of the old elevated train tracks. If you look closely at the beams, they have this rhythmic, rib-like quality. It’s a nod to the past that feels very intentional, though some critics at the time felt it was a bit "Disney-fied" industrialism. But hey, that's New York for you. Everything is a remix.
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Samsung 837: The Ghost in the Machine
For a long time, the identity of 837 Washington New York was synonymous with one name: Samsung. This wasn't a retail store. It was a "digital playground."
You couldn't actually buy a phone there. Kind of annoying, right? You’d walk in, see a giant three-story screen made of dozens of smaller displays, play with some VR goggles, and if you wanted to spend money, the staff would politely tell you to go to a Best Buy or order online. It was a branding experiment. It was about "experience."
Inside, they had a theater, a gallery, a VR tunnel, and a recording studio. They hosted launch events and DJ sets. It was a monument to the idea that tech companies didn't need to sell you hardware in person; they needed to sell you a vibe. But the vibe shifted. Post-pandemic, the massive, high-touch experiential flagship model started to feel a bit... dated? Or maybe just too expensive to maintain when everyone was used to shopping from their couch.
Samsung eventually scaled back. The space evolved. This is the reality of prime Manhattan real estate. No tenant stays forever, no matter how much they spent on the custom LED lighting.
Why This Corner is Different
If you walk a block south, you hit the Whitney Museum. A block north, and you’re at Chelsea Market. 837 Washington New York is the anchor for this specific intersection where high-end fashion (think Theory and Diane von Furstenberg) meets the tourist-heavy High Line entrance.
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Honestly, the building’s success isn't just about the glass. It’s about the light. Because the Meatpacking District has strict height limits, the building doesn't get swallowed by shadows like things do in Midtown. It catches the late afternoon sun coming off the Hudson River, and the glass reflects the orange glow back onto the cobblestones. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the city for a reason.
- The building offers roughly 28,000 square feet of space.
- It sits directly across from the Standard Hotel.
- The project was developed by Thor Equities and Taconic Investment Partners.
- It won several architectural awards for its structural engineering.
It’s worth noting that the structural engineering here was a nightmare. Supporting a twisting glass tower on top of a 1930s brick foundation requires a massive amount of internal bracing. They basically had to thread a new steel skeleton through the old building to keep it from collapsing under the weight of the new addition.
What to Do When You’re at 837 Washington New York
If you’re visiting, don't just stare at the building and move on. The area around it is dense with things that actually make the trip worth it.
First, get on the High Line at Gansevoort Street. Walk north. As you pass 837 Washington New York, look at how the glass angles interact with the greenery of the park. It’s one of the few places where the architecture feels like it’s in conversation with the landscape.
Hungry? Walk two minutes to Chelsea Market. Yeah, it’s crowded. Yes, it’s a "tourist trap." But the tacos at Los Tacos No. 1 are legitimately some of the best in the city. Grab three adobada tacos, stand at the counter, and then walk back out to the cobblestones.
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If you’re into fashion, the boutiques surrounding the building are world-class, though your credit card might cry. If you’re into history, look at the ground. Those cobblestones (technically Belgian blocks) are original. They’re uneven, they’re hell on high heels, and they’re exactly what keeps the neighborhood feeling like a neighborhood instead of a mall.
The Future of the Meatpacking District
The Meatpacking District is in a weird spot right now. It's moving away from the "nightclub and meat hook" era of the 90s and early 2000s and into something much more corporate and polished. 837 Washington New York was the pioneer of this shift. It proved that you could charge astronomical rents for creative office space in this part of town.
Google is just up the street. Genesis (the luxury car brand) has a massive presence nearby. The neighborhood is becoming a "tech-meets-luxury" hub. Some people hate it. They miss the grit. They miss the blood on the sidewalks from the actual meatpackers. But cities change. They have to.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Visit
- Timing is Everything: Visit at "Golden Hour." The way the light hits the glass at 837 Washington is spectacular.
- Look Up: Most people look at the storefronts. Look at the steel "ribs" of the building to see the craftsmanship.
- Combine Your Trip: Don't come just for the building. Plan a loop that includes the Whitney Museum and the High Line.
- Footwear Matters: This is non-negotiable. The cobblestones around 837 Washington will destroy your ankles if you wear flimsy shoes. Wear something with support.
- Check the Events: Even though the "Samsung 837" era has shifted, the space still frequently hosts pop-ups or tech showcases. Check local listings before you go.
The building at 837 Washington New York isn't just a piece of real estate. It’s a lesson in how New York preserves its soul by wrapping it in something entirely new. Whether you love the "twisting" look or think it’s too much, you can't deny it’s a masterpiece of modern engineering. It stands there, half-old and half-new, perfectly summarizing the identity crisis that makes Manhattan so interesting.
Stop by. Take the photo. Then go get those tacos.